ISHS Acta Horticulturae 574: VII International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
THE KALEIDOSCOPIC NATURE OF BLUEBERRY FRUIT ROTS |
| Authors: | A.M.C. Schilder, J.M. Gillett, J.A. Woodworth |
| Abstract:
Fruit rots of blueberries have been indicated by growers as a major problem in blueberry production in Michigan. A survey was conducted in 1998 to determine the effects of cultivar and sampling time on fruit rot incidence and pathogen prevalence. Cultivars included Bluecrop, Jersey, Rubel, and Elliott. Anthracnose (Colletotrichum acutatum) was the most commonly observed fruit rot, followed by Alternaria (Alternaria spp.) and Botrytis (Botrytis cinerea) fruit rots. In general, an increase in anthracnose fruit rot incidence and a decrease in other fruit rots were observed as the harvest season progressed. Cultivar Elliott had the lowest anthracnose levels. Surface-sterilization of berries prior to incubation substantially reduced the recovery of Colletotrichum acutatum but increased the recovery of Alternaria spp. In a fungicide efficacy trial, some of the materials tested were highly effective in reducing anthracnose fruit rot, whereas others seemed to increase anthracnose over the untreated control. Only a few materials were able to control multiple fruit rots simultaneously. In general, there was an inverse relationship between anthracnose and Alternaria and Botrytis fruit rot levels. These results highlight the dynamic nature of the blueberry fruit rot complex. | |
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